In recent years, Thailand’s authorities have become increasingly proactive in protecting its marine environment. From new rules and regulations aimed to protect its coral reefs and endangered marine species to shutting down entire islands to help their environs recover from mass tourism.
With almost all of Thailand’s waters covered by marine national parks, make sure you don’t fall foul of any local legislations.
Just because it looks like an idyllic anchorage, doesn’t make it so. Keep up-to-date with the latest restrictions here.
Information on fishing and the necessary permits required and restrictions for sea fishing in Thailand’s waters.
Also find out the latest information regarding fishing permits and how to safely visit Thailand’s numerous marine national parks.
Most anchorages around Thai waters now have proper mooring buoys installed, which can be identified as yellow or red spheres with a blue band. And, whilst there is no guarantee that they are regularly maintained, it is certainly a better alternative than anchoring on coral. If none are available, please use proper caution to anchor well away from natural or artificial coral reefs. Remember that damaging coral is a criminal offence. If in doubt, we recommend that you check in with other yachts in the area or locals ashore whether where you’ve dropped anchor is OK.
If you are cruising in the Gulf of Thailand towards Pattaya – or more specifically, near Ocean Marina Pattaya Yacht Club – all of the islands off the coast in this area are managed and owned by the Thai Navy. The Thai Navy have, therefore, advised that anchoring at these islands – see our list below – is prohibited and will enforce this restriction.
You are not required to own a permit for rod fishing in Thailand, however, there are some regulations depending on your location and for some endangered species – for a full list, please contact the Thai Department of Fisheries.
Fishing of any kind is not allowed in marine national parks and will result in a maximum fine of 500 Baht per person on the boat – i.e. even if there is only one line but five people present on the boat, the fine will still be 2,500 Baht regardless of who was fishing.
The majority of all of Thailand’s waters are included in one national park or another. It is within the local Chief Park Ranger’s authority to charge the schedule anchoring fees as set out by the Forestry Department. This will depend on the size of the yacht and also the number of persons onboard – i.e. a 30ft yacht with five people might be charged more than a 40ft yacht with two people. The Chief Park Ranger will also enforce the park’s visiting fee.
Unlike other marine national parks in Thailand, private yachts must first obtain a permit in advance before entering the Similan National Park. This is due to a cap on the number of yachts allowed in the park each day. The permit can only be acquired from the Similan National Park’s headquarters, located on the mainland near Khao Lak at Thap Lamu (8° 34.378′ N 98° 13.435′ E). Visitors will need to first arrive by dinghy at the pier and then it’s a 10-minute walk to the headquarters.
Please ensure to bring all the relevant documents – as listed in the Documents section here – if you wish to stay for a maximum of five days / four nights. Please note, however, that private yachts are not allowed to stay overnight unless they have both diving equipment onboard and a dive certification. The southernmost islands (#1, 2 and 3) are conservation areas and anchoring, landing, snorkelling or diving are prohibited and subject to fines.
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Due to overtourism in some parts of the country, access to several islands in both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are restricted and anchorage forbidden. As this list is continuously changing, we recommend that you contact the local port authorities for a definitive list. Below is a list of the main islands that are owned by the Thai army in the Gulf of Thailand near Pattaya in which anchorage is prohibited:
